Ghost police cars haunt speeders

Topeka police officer Garry Bledsoe returns one of the department's low profile patrol cars to headquarters during his shift on Thursday. Bledsoe, who works traffic patrol in the city, says the stealthy nature of "the ghost" car helps keep him off local speeders' radars, and on his.

Topeka police officers refer to them as "ghost" cars, but red and blue lights that shine in the rearview mirror of speeders aren't an apparition.

"I call them the gray ghosts," police Sgt. Dave Gogian said of the low-profile patrol cars the department uses for traffic enforcement. "I've been in one of the cars and had people blow right past me. They always say they didn't notice me."

Equipped with a full set of police graphics, lights and sirens, the off-white and gray patrol cars are considered fully marked police vehicles. But by mounting police flashers on the interior and using reflective graphics that blend into the vehicles' paint, the police cruisers don't draw much attention from the average motorist.

Officer Garry Bledsoe, who works traffic enforcement in Topeka, said the low-profile cars make it easier to blend in with other vehicles on the road.

"Eight times out of 10, people say they didn't see me when I pulled them over," he said.

Along with other less conventional vehicles, such as sport utility vehicles, sports cars and completely unmarked vehicles, the ghost cars are becoming one of the latest trends in reducing speeding, according to a recent article in USA Today.

Keith Ternes, police chief in Fargo, N.D., told USA Today that the use of unmarked vehicles isn't sneaky — rather it is about changing people's habits and having them pay attention to their driving, even when they believe police aren't watching.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says more than 30 percent of all fatal crashes are estimated to be speeding-related crashes, resulting in 13,040 lives lost in 2007.

The Kansas Highway Patrol estimates the chance of death or serious injury in a crash doubles for every 10 mph over 50 mph a vehicle travels.

Legislation in Kansas that went into effect in July boosts the fine for speeding by $15, meaning drivers caught exceeding the limit by 10 mph will be fined $45 instead of the previous $30.

Despite the attention given to speeding infractions, the patrol doesn't use unmarked or low-profile vehicles to catch traffic violators.

"Some supervisors have unmarked vehicles, but all enforcement vehicles used by the highway patrol use highly reflective markings that make it easy to be able to see from a distance," said Trooper Tim McCool.

Topeka police Sgt. Ron Gish said the department has less than 10 low-profile vehicles that are used for traffic enforcement and other operations where a more subtle vehicle would be useful.

Police Chief Ron Miller said the department purchased the low-profile vehicles in 2006 and 2007 when funds were available. He said the department has since focused on replacing traditional black and white vehicles, which tend to rack up more miles than traffic patrol vehicles.

"I believe they are effective," Miller said.

However, he said ghost vehicles have limitations.

"Because they are low-profile cars, they have some restrictions on them — police pursuits for instance," the chief said. "The low-profile vehicles have some restrictions on usage in order to protect officers and the public."

An increased use of unmarked or low-profile police vehicles could raise a motorist's apprehensions about pulling over, the president of the National Motorists Association told USA Today.

Miller said he isn't aware of many such instances, or of any increase of illegal impersonation of police officers in recent years.

He said the public should be aware that the department's low-profile and unmarked vehicles use bright, flashing LED lights on the interior, rather than older rotating lights. Further, he said state law limits the use of red and blue lights to law enforcement.

"Police cars always have a siren," Miller said. "If you are legitimately concerned about who is trying to stop you, drive to an area that is well lit, such as a police station or convenience store, and interact with the officer there.

"If they receive a ticket for not pulling over immediately, they may fight the ticket and bring that to the judge's attention in court."

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only a moron cant spot the cops in these cars. easy clues 1. spotlights on both sides of the car. 2. its a crown vic (come on really) 3. lights in the front and back windshield. 4. government plates 5. guy with a buzz cut driving. 6. brush guards on the front. 7.extra radio antenna i spot these guys a mile away trying to be sneaky and just laugh.

I guess if your reading the paper, magazine,blind, or texting,you might miss a crown vic, but it would be hard since they have not changed in years.Maybe you cant see the dash lights if your not paying attention or maybe your not breaking the law and you dont have to be picking these cars out of the crowd. These cars stick out like an airplane to me though.

That may or may not be true in town, but definitely not in the county. My son was leaving his girlfriend's house near Sherwood late at night only a few weeks ago. Just after he backed from her driveway, a large pickup truck came zooming toward him at a high rate of speed. He saw no light bar, nothing official about it, just a truck bearing down, scaring the spit out of him. Instinctively, he sped up to keep from being run over. After several blocks, the driver finally flipped on his flashing lights. When my son found a safe place to pull over, the officer berated him for running. He explained he had no idea any local departments had pickups as patrol vehicles and all he saw was something coming at him at 50 mph. The officer said "Nah, I was doing 75." On a twisty residential street, in the dark. Nice. (See data in the article about speed risks.)

Allegedly, the sheriff's office had word of an underage drinking party in the area; but the girl's house was nearly dark, my son's car was the only one in the drive, and there were no others on the street anywhere near. Not much of a party. It really makes one wonder why they targeted him. Ironically, he is 21 and they had not been drinking alcohol at all. (Take that!)

In the end, they let him go and no one was hurt, but it certainly shook him up. So, do not assume you can spot a "ghost" car. They come in all sorts of disguises.

According to the article, chief Miller was quoted as saying the following:

"Because they are low-profile cars, they have some restrictions on them — police pursuits for instance," the chief said. "The low-profile vehicles have some restrictions on usage in order to protect officers and the public."

So I am taking that as you dont have to pull over if a ghost car tries to pull you over because 8 out of 10 people dont know that it is even a police officer. If they do pursue you, then they violate policy and I believe you could then potentially sue the department. Also, if you arent being chased by a ghost car, but have a wreck because a ghost car is chasing someone else, then you can probably also sue the pd. I sure am glad the paper printed this information because I had no clue that ghost cars werent suppose to pursue.

I think it would be nice if they where not your standard Crown Vic.But would blend in the area they where patrolling,that way they would not stick out like a sore thumb.For my area,they should be older Cadillacs,and my sons area,they should be Low riders.Out in the county,they should be Ford 4x4 Bronco's with a lift kit ,and 44inch Monster mudder tires.Everyone of the cars I listed above could get by with the spot lites,and if they used a newer version of the Starski and Hutch magnet lite,then they would really blend in and be a true-GHOST POLICE CAR/TRUCK!!!God Bless The USA

From all the officers who drive these that I have spoken to, have all pretty much said the same thing. These traffic cars are some of the oldest and rattiest cars on the squad. After they have been put through their paces they are then made into the traffic cars and are not driven hard or heavy like the other cruisers are. Probably afraid they will fall apart if they get into a high speed pursuit.

I get the idea of having undercover cars but why thus middle ground. Too hidden to be sure its the police and not someone pretending yet still big enough that it would give alarm bells. I'm not really sure why they took the middle ground.

How effective are they against speeding law enforcement officers? Not? Maybe we need to rethink how we find people "breaking the law."

I am sure police officers will read this and laugh, pointing out inaccuracies ad nauseum (to the point of disgust for you law enforcement types) but you have to obey the law as much as the people you pull over. Otherwise you are what we refer to as a "hypocrite." Look it up, you may see shocking similarities between you and your cop buddies.

I thought TPDs policy was if they were to go over the speed limit they were required to activate lights and/or sirens. I'm sure they would never violate this policy....ever.
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/sarcasm

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In the marketplace of ideas, all are welcome. When those ideas are exposed to the shining light of public scrutiny, lies will wither and die while the truth will grow and seed the planet.

What are you people whining about? If you're willing to speed you should be willing to face the consequences. Don't do the crime if you can't do the time and all that.

When you get pulled over, turn your car off, roll your window down, , if it's night time turn on your dome light and then just keep your hands on the wheel (don't reach for your wallet or your insurance) wait for the cop to tell you to do something.

Never answer the question "Do you know why I pulled you over?" because if you do that you've pretty much blown any chance of fighting it in court.

Don't get hostile, take notes of things done and said and stop whining because you got caught this time.

It must be nice to live in la la land all the time where you can make things up and pretend its fact. Maybe words hurt your head when you read them. If so, just look at the picture. If you see that next to you and don't think its a cop, you shouldn't have a license in the first place.

As for not pulling over. I think you should test that idea. Then when the cops haul your butt off to jail, we won't have to endure your moronic comments for a while.

The police are the public and the public are the police; the police being only members of the public who are paid to give full time attention to duties which are incumbent on every citizen in the interests of community welfare and existence. - Robert Peel

Up until 2009, you could only be convicted of fleeing and eluding if the police car was clearly marked as a police vehicle. The legislature changed that law effective July 1, 2009 so that the police vehicle only has to be equipped with emergency lights and a siren.

Remember, the unmarked traffic cars are great for stopping aggressive drivers- those who are intentionally breaking the law and are watching for police. Thevrestbif the traffic violators- The inattentive driver who isn't paying attention to their speed, is messing with their radio, GPS or cell phone, is going to be caught regardless of wether the car is unmarked or black and white with big signs saying, "slow down" all over it.

I love that it has taken CJ 4 years to write this article- and only after USA Today publishes a story!

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In the marketplace of ideas, all are welcome. When those ideas are exposed to the shining light of public scrutiny, lies will wither and die while the truth will grow and seed the planet.

I'd say "stealth." I think sneaky is OK. If you're dumb enough to break the traffic laws and get caught, you can't make that better by saying, "Well, heck, judge, they snuck up on me and that ain't FAIR!"

This is a good strategy to CATCH people speeding ... which means they have already traveled at an unsafe speed and created the risk you wish to minimize. Better idea to put huge red lights, the size of garbage cans, on top of the cars where everyone will see them and slow down, preventing the risk you wish to minimize.

There's not much money in safety promotion and crime prevention, just in catching people by stealth.

Yes, but I do not think you understand that the most part these squad cars are in operation 24hrs a day. TPD does not have a take home policy on most of their patrol cars like the Sheriffs Department does. So, The car may be 3 to 4 years old, but they have been running and driven constantly over that period of time and most have not been driven like a little old lady.

you drive a car for 3 years virtually non stop and see what condition it is in afterward.

are they making excuses for the bad shocks and stuts from hitting the potholes around Topeka? I've had one behind me reading my tag not paying attention to the road when I drove over one. Should of seen the look on the officers face when the car hit it, brought a smile to my face. he he.